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RSPCA HEAD ENLISTED HUNTERS
(cutting the Times 2/5/01 by Andrew Pierce)
The head of the RSPCA accused of secretly encouraging hunters
The head of the RSPCA is accused today of secretly encouraging the recruitment of Richard Meade, the triple Olympic gold medallist who faces expulsion because of his support for foxhunting.
Major-General Peter Davies, the RSPCA's director-general, attended at least two meetings with leading figures in the pro-hunt movement.
Within weeks they had joined the society. He went to the House of Lords to have lunch with Lord Mancroft, a Tory peer who was deputy chairman of the British Field Sports Society and is now a director of the Countryside Alliance.
Lord Mancroft, a dedicated hunter, joined the RSPCA as a result of the meeting. Mr Meade rejoined at about the same time, having left in 1976 when the RSPCA stated its opposition to hunting with dogs.
In a letter to The Times today, Lord Mancroft says that General Davies had encouraged Mr Meade to form the Countryside Animal Welfare Group to counter the "militants" on the RSPCA council.
Lord Mancroft writes: "During the meeting Peter Davies made the suggestion that we should encourage our supporters to join the RSPCA. This was not aimed specifically at changing its policy on hunting but to try to act as a counter to the extremism on the council which Peter Davies believed would eventually damage the RSPCA's reputation.
How right he was." In a statement,
General Davies said: "I categorically deny that I have ever suggested
that the British Field Sports Society or any other group should be encouraged
to become members of the RSPCA. "What I have always said is that the RSPCA
is a broad church and we have always encouraged applications for membership
from well intentioned individuals who wish simply to contribute to the
debate on animal welfare. "I am firmly opposed to hunting with dogs...I
would never support any moves to infiltrate and thereby damage the society."
/cutting ends
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